DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance’s new AgustaWestland 169 (AW169) helicopter is now in service.

It has become the first AW169 to enter air ambulance operational service in the UK and is the culmination of years of planning and development.

The aircraft was selected following an extensive evaluation process. It is hoped to provide an enhanced life-saving service for the people of Somerset and Dorset.

DSAA chief executive Bill Sivewright said: “It has always been the charity’s aim and clear vision to pursue clinical excellence – pairing critical care teams with the outstanding capabilities of the AW169 is a natural development of that vision.

“Patient benefit remains our top priority and this was the single biggest criteria in selecting the new aircraft.

“Our ambitions and clinical aspirations determined a particular requirement from whichever aircraft we selected.

“The capabilities and flexibility offered by the AW169 made it a clear winner and in our view it was the only aircraft which fully met our criteria.

“Another major plus in selecting a new mark of aircraft is that you are taking advantage of the latest advances in technology. That means that it is safer and easier to maintain and operate.”

The medical equipment in the AW169 will not be hugely different to that carried on the charity’s previous aircraft.

The biggest difference is the space inside the cabin. This allows the critical care team to have complete access to a patient, head-to-toe – a significant benefit if a patient needs further intervention or treatment on-route to hospital.